John Wayne Parr makes Knockout debut at Bellator Kickboxing

John Wayne Parr knocks out Nando Calzetta at Bellator Kickboxing 5.

Australian muaythai fighter John Wayne Parr (96-32) has recorded the fight No. 128. He faced off Italian Nando Calzetta (45-10) at Bellator Kickboxing promotion on Saturday April 8 in Turin. The 72.5 kg three-round match ended prior the final bell. A devastating kick to the head terminated the contest at 2 minutes 59 seconds of Round 2.

Post fight Parr said that his opponent “was tough and came to fight”, although he didn’t have any problem to trade punches. “He wanted to mix and trade but I was more than happy to do that with the hands. I thought I was a little bit sharper. but he had a crack – he had a good go and hopefully it was entertaining for the crowd.”

“Before this fight I really wanted to do something impressive and get an impressive finish so to score a head kick knockout is like a slam dunk. I feel like Michael Jordan right now.”

Parr’s debut at Bellator Kickboxing 5 is the first bout of the 3-fight deal he has signed with the organization last year. He is certainly looking forward to the following event.

“I’ve been watching Bellator and I just want to be a star here. Hopefully tonight is gonna put that notch in my belt and help me fulfill that dream.”

‘My first head kick KO’

The 40-year-old “Gunslinger” is indeed well-known for the ten-plus series of punches in his ‘basic’ boxing combination. The knockout against Calzetta declares the first knockout via head kick he has produced in his entire career that started 27 years ago.

“My first head kick KO! I landed it at 2:59 of the second round,” Parr told fightmag.com.au from Turin. When asked what’s next for the man who has just fought and has also recently announced the next edition of his own promotion “Tomorrow’s Champions” on the Gold Coast in May, Parr said that he is almost already on the way back to Australia.

“In an hour and a half, at 4 am I have to catch a taxi to the airport. Fly 30 hours back to Australia.”

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John Wayne Parr lands a devastating head kick in his bout against Nando Calzetta on April 8, 2017 at Bellator Kickboxing 5 in Turin, Italy

John Wayne Parr KO's Nando Calzetta in Round 2 on April 8, 2017 at Bellator Kickboxing 5 in Turin, Italy

Parviz Iskenderov is a muaythai fighter from Perth, Australia. He is a former national champion of Belarus, and also a finalist of IFMA European Cup. He is an editor and journalist at FIGHTMAG. He covers national and world news. Iskenderov is also the WKN (World Kickboxing Network) international coordinator for Australia.

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